Rivals Week in the WNBA, a concept the league embraced for its 2025 season with support from Ally, ran from August 9 to August 17 and spotlighted both enduring and budding rivalries between teams and players. The New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx were highlighted in a rematch-rich mini-series that drew attention even as injuries reshaped the on-court narrative.
Injuries shaped the Liberty-Lynx matchups, with Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier sidelined, along with Liberty reserves Nyara Sabally and Isabelle Harrison. The divide over whether Liberty-Lynx truly qualify as a rivalry also surfaced. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve hedged, saying, “I don’t think we’re there yet. But the league says we are.” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello offered a more confident take: “I think rivalries are great. Yes. Do we have a rivalry? They play it down. Of course, we have a rivalry, and it’s great for the league.”
Despite the absences, the three games between the Liberty and Lynx delivered edge-of-your-seat drama. Minnesota took the opening meeting 100-93 behind Napheesa Collier’s 30-point explosion, then notched two more wins even without their star. New York pushed hard in the third encounter, fighting back from a 15-point deficit to stay in range late, but the Lynx pulled away for a six-point victory as Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith helped spark the Liberty rally that fell just short.
Look ahead to the final clash of the miniseries, which would mark Minnesota’s third straight game against New York in this stretch. Stewart and Collier remained listed as out for that contest, continuing to test the depth and resolve of both teams.
The season picture remains encouraging for the top teams. The Lynx have claimed the top seed and sit in strong position as the Dream and Liberty also pace for the second and third spots, respectively. Minnesota’s position makes a possible finals rematch with New York or Atlanta likely, with a Lynx-Liberty showdown carrying the nostalgia of last year’s championship matchup. A Lynx-Lynx vs. Dream face-off would bring Atlanta another layer of motivation, especially given the Dream’s dominant 2013 finals history against Minnesota.
What it means for fans: Rivals Week delivered meaningful drama even as injuries tested the rosters. With several stars still sidelined, the storyline is far from settled, and the door remains open for late-season shakeups and potential finals clashes that could redefine the league’s title picture.
Takeaways and outlook:
– Injuries have distorted the on-court pecking order, but the competitive edge between the Liberty and Lynx is evident and could intensify as players return.
– Minnesota’s top seed solidifies their position, while the Dream and Liberty remain credible threats for a finals run.
– If the rivalries develop further this season, 2025 could be remembered for turning early-season narrative into high-stakes postseason matchups, with a potential rematch of last year’s championship still in play.
Overall, Rivals Week underscored the WNBA’s growth in storylines and fan engagement, setting the stage for a compelling finish as teams jockey for playoff seeding and potential finals rematches.
Summary takeaway: The Liberty-Lynx mini-series showcased the evolving rivalries and the impact of injuries, while keeping the championship race wide open and fueling anticipation for a dramatic push toward the playoffs. Positive momentum continues to build around the league as stars return and rivalries sharpen.